ABC's New Year's Eve show will celebrate Dick Clark

Dick Clark broadcasts during New Year's festivities from Times Square in New York in 1996. ABC is turning its first New Year's Eve without Dick Clark in four decades partly into a celebration of the show biz impresario's life.
The Associated Press

NEW YORK — ABC is turning its first New Year's Eve without Dick Clark in four decades partly into a celebration of the showbiz impresario's life.

Clark, who originated the annual "New Year's Rockin' Eve" special in 1971, died at age 82 in April. Fergie and Jenny McCarthy will be hosts of a two-hour tribute to Clark that will air on New Year's Eve.

ABC said Wednesday that Ryan Seacrest will host the countdown show from Times Square, with Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, Neon Trees, Flo Rida and Pitbull among the musical guests. Seacrest hosted the past few years with Clark making short appearances. A stroke had diminished Clark's communications skills.

Al Green, Helen Reddy and Three Dog Night performed at Clark's first New Year's special.